Top 7 Best Ethiopian Food Near Vancouver, British Columbia

Ethiopian food is made for sharing: stews and sautéed meats are spooned onto injera, a spongy sourdough flatbread, and everyone eats with their hands. It is also one of the most vegan-friendly cuisines in the world.

Vancouver's Ethiopian restaurants cluster on Commercial Drive and the east side. This guide lists seven, drawing on the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, local coverage and current listings.

Looking for another cuisine? Browse our full guide to the best restaurants in Vancouver by cuisine.

How We Chose These Ethiopian Restaurants

Each pick is a sit-down Ethiopian restaurant in Vancouver, checked against recent listings, local coverage and the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards.

Hours change often, so confirm before you go.

Best Ethiopian Restaurants in Vancouver at a Glance

Top 7 Best Ethiopian Restaurants Near Vancouver, BC

1. Fassil – Mount Pleasant

A family-run Ethiopian restaurant near Broadway and Fraser with a wide range of meat and vegetarian dishes.

What to order: A meat or vegetarian combination platter.

Why it made the list: VanMag honourable mention for Best African and Diaspora in 2026.

Address: 736 E Broadway, Vancouver | Price: $

2. Axum – East Vancouver

A low-key Ethiopian restaurant that locals rate among the city's best.

What to order: Doro wot and a vegetarian combo.

Why it made the list: VanMag honourable mention in 2025 and a 2026 finalist.

Address: 1279 E Hastings St, Vancouver | Price: $

3. Harambe – Commercial Drive

A licensed Ethiopian restaurant serving meat and vegetarian dishes on injera.

What to order: The chef's platter for two.

Why it made the list: VanMag honourable mention in 2024.

Address: 2149 Commercial Dr, Vancouver | Price: $

4. Gojo Café – Commercial Drive

A small, friendly café known for big veggie spreads and house-made honey wine.

What to order: A veggie combo, kitfo or lamb tibs, plus tej.

Why it made the list: Popular with Vancouver's Ethiopian community.

Address: 2838 Commercial Dr, Vancouver | Price: $

5. Addis Café – Commercial Drive

A family-run restaurant serving homestyle stews and combination plates.

What to order: A combination plate with doro wot.

Why it made the list: Home cooking at a fair price, with vegan options.

Address: 2017 Commercial Dr, Vancouver | Price: $

6. Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant – Edmonds, Burnaby

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant is an Ethiopian restaurant at 7546 Edmonds Street in Burnaby.

What to order: A combination platter.

Why it made the list: A well-reviewed Ethiopian kitchen in Burnaby.

Address: 7546 Edmonds St | Price: $

7. Massawa Restaurant – Downtown New Westminster

Massawa Restaurant is an East African restaurant at 418 6th Street in New Westminster, named after the Eritrean port city.

What to order: A combination platter.

Why it made the list: One of the few Eritrean and Ethiopian kitchens outside Vancouver.

Address: 110-418 6th St | Price: $

Ethiopian Dishes to Know Before You Go

• Injera: A spongy, slightly sour flatbread that doubles as plate and utensil.
• Doro wat: A slow-cooked chicken stew spiced with berbere, served with a boiled egg.
• Tibs: Sautéed cubes of beef or lamb with onions and peppers.
• Shiro: A smooth, spiced chickpea stew, popular on fasting days.
• Kitfo: Minced raw beef seasoned with spiced butter and mitmita.

Where to Find Ethiopian Food in Metro Vancouver

Mount Pleasant

Home to Fassil.

East Vancouver

Home to Axum.

Commercial Drive

Home to Harambe, Gojo Café and Addis Café.

Edmonds, Burnaby

Home to Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant.

Downtown New Westminster

Home to Massawa Restaurant.

Tips for Eating Ethiopian Food in Vancouver

• Order a platter: A combination platter lets you try a bit of everything.
• Eat by hand: Use your right hand and tear off injera to scoop.
• Ask about teff: If you need gluten-free, ask whether the injera is 100 percent teff.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Ethiopian restaurant in Vancouver?

Fassil, Axum and Harambe have all been recognized by the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards in recent years.

Where is the best Ethiopian food in Vancouver?

Commercial Drive has three, with Fassil on East Broadway and Axum on East Hastings.

Is Ethiopian food vegan-friendly?

Yes. Vegetable and lentil stews are a big part of the cuisine.

Is injera gluten-free?

Only if it is made with 100 percent teff. Ask the restaurant.

Explore More Vancouver Food Guides

Hungry for more? See our complete guide to the best restaurants in Vancouver by cuisine, covering 69 cuisines across Metro Vancouver, or browse all restaurants on Vancouver Page.